Pauline Collins, OBE, best known for her titular role in the 1989 English romantic comedy-drama film Shirley Valentine, died peacefully on 6 November, aged 85, surrounded by family.
Born Pauline Angela Collins in Devon in 1940, she spent her early education at a Catholic convent school and eventually studied acting at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.
Collins began her acting career in 1962. Her honours include a Tony a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to drama.
We're saddened to hear that actress Pauline Collins, best known for her starring role in Shirley Valentine, for which she won a BAFTA, has died at the age of 85.
Collins' long career across stage and screen also earned her BAFTA nominations for her roles in Upstairs, Downstairs… pic.twitter.com/HBvvuUrsDI
— BAFTA (@BAFTA) November 7, 2025
She married actor John Alderton in 1969 and the couple have three children.
She brought warmth and depth to roles across stage, screen, and television for over six decades, often portraying women at life’s turning points with quiet insight.
Collins starred in two Doctor Who television stories. She played Samantha Briggs in The Faceless Ones (1967) and Queen Victoria in Tooth and Claw (2006). Her image was used for a painting of Queen Victoria in Empress of Mars.
She was asked to continue her role Samantha as a regular companion to replace Polly but declined the offer despite personal appeals by producer Innes Lloyd and actors Patrick Troughton and Frazer Hines.
I feel so very sad over the death of the wonderful Pauline Collins. A great actor and a truly wonderful person.
— David_Suchet (@David_Suchet) November 7, 2025
Collins delivered remarkable performances in several notable plays. She first portrayed Shirley Valentine in the one-woman play Shirley Valentine (1988–1989) on the West End and Broadway, earning Olivier and Tony Awards. She played Beatrice in The Miracle Worker (1982) at the Wyndham’s Theatre and Mrs. Warren in George Bernard Shaw’s Mrs Warren’s Profession (1970) at the Richmond Theatre.
Her television roles included Sarah Moffat in Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–1975) and its 1979 spin-off Thomas & Sarah starring opposite her husband John Alderton. She also had roles in No, Honestly (1974–1975), The Ambassador (1998–1999), Bleak House (2005) and Little Dorrit (2008).
Her notable film roles included City of Joy (1992), Paradise Road (1997), My Mother’s Courage (1995) and Quartet (2012).
Collins’ family said in a statement: “Pauline was so many things to so many people, playing a variety of roles in her life. A bright, sparky, witty presence on stage and screen. Her illustrious career saw her play politicians, mothers and queens” and added that she was their “loving mum, our wonderful grandma and great-grandma”, and husband John Alderton’s “life-long love”.